We cannot rule out the fact that the hyperglycemic condition had an effect on the long-term repopulating stem cells in the bone marrow explaining reduced progenitor cell numbers and repopulating potential, however overnight exposure to hyperglycemia did not have any marked effects on CD34+ HPC in vitro suggesting that impaired restoration of the ‘vascular niche’ is the key factor in the dysfunctional bone marrow recovery after 5-FU in diabetes. This evidence concerns the gene CD34 and diabetes mellitus.